Leland can't force developer to connect subdivisions

If town officials had their way, the developer of Mallory Creek would extend the road into Brunswick Forest sooner rather than later.

By Jason GonzalesJason.Gonzales@StarNewsOnline.com

Mallory Creek Drive ends suddenly and with little warning on the Leland road named for the subdivision it cuts through.If town officials had their way, the developer of Mallory Creek would extend the road into Brunswick Forest sooner rather than later.Unfortunately for the town, until the developer hits a benchmark number of homes, there's little room for officials to negotiate."I think it would be important to be built," said Town Manager David Hollis. "It certainly will be a much needed connection between N.C. 133 and U.S. 17."Although the town can't do much about getting the road built anytime soon, the town council hopes to put regulations in place that will ensure connector roads will be built in a more timely manner.The measures are part of the town's adoption of the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization's collector street program.The plan proposes to connect subdivisions and streets throughout northern Brunswick County to balance the traffic concerns in the area.At the council's next meeting, members will consider different regulations to get streets built so they avoid the same type of problems that have occurred at Mallory Creek.Mayor Pro Tem Pat Batleman said the connection at the subdivision is not the developer's fault, but it is an example of the problems the town faces."You have to go out of your way to get around anywhere," she said.The plan for the road is already in both subdivisions' plans, but the town cannot force the developer to build it. Town officials have looked at grants to partially fund the road.Batleman said she is pushing for the extension of Mallory Creek Drive because it would relieve traffic on N.C. 133. The connection would extend to Rice Gate Way in Brunswick Forest."Getting over (from one side to another) would be a hop, skip, and a jump," she said.She added the town will keep working every angle to get the road installed.Hollis said the new regulations and some forward thinking will help relieve many of the town's problems."When new developments come in, we have to start making them make those connections," he said. "The collector street plan is only as good as our enforcement."